What are some of the best stand alone horror novels?

One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and a really interesting female lead in Lisbeth Salander. The story is full of twists and turns as journalist Mikael Blomkvist tries to solve a decades - old disappearance.

'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. While it has a series, the first book can be considered a stand - alone in terms of the romance. It combines time - travel and a very intense love story between Claire and Jamie, set against the backdrop of 18th - century Scotland.

A great stand - alone thriller is 'Before I Go to Sleep' by S. J. Watson. The main character wakes up every day with no memory of her past. As she tries to piece together her life, she discovers some terrifying truths. It's a psychological thriller that really plays with your mind. And then there's 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. The cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter is chilling and the overall atmosphere of the book is one of intense suspense.

One of the best is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman. It's a powerful and poignant graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust through the use of animals as characters. The art style is simple yet effective in conveying the complex emotions and horrors of the time.

I also recommend 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It combines elements of Jewish and Arabian mythology. The story follows a golem, a creature made of clay, and a jinni, a spirit of fire, as they navigate the human world in 19th - century New York City.

Some of the best stand alone graphic novels include 'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan. This wordless graphic novel is an amazing exploration of immigration and the immigrant experience. 'Daytripper' by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá is also very good. It has a unique structure that follows different moments in the life of its protagonist, making the reader reflect on life and death. And 'My Favorite Thing Is Monsters' by Emil Ferris is a great example of a stand - alone graphic novel that combines horror, mystery, and a coming - of - age story.

One of the best stand - alone YA novels is 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green. It's a heart - wrenching story about two teenagers with cancer who fall in love. Another great one is 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson, which deals with a girl's struggle to find her voice after a traumatic event. 'Eleanor & Park' by Rainbow Rowell is also wonderful. It beautifully portrays first love and the challenges of growing up in a less - than - ideal family situation.

One of the best stand - alone spy novels is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It's a classic that offers a gritty and realistic look at the world of espionage during the Cold War. The characters are complex and the plot is full of twists and turns.

I think 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski could be good for beginners. It has a really interesting structure that adds to the overall sense of unease. It's not as straightforward as some horror novels, but that's part of its charm. Also, 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris, while also a crime thriller with horror elements, is a great introduction. The character of Hannibal Lecter is one of the most iconic and terrifying in literature.

One of the best is 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his fight for survival. The story is full of scientific details and his resourcefulness makes it a thrilling read.